NCLStarHawaii2003

“Returning to the Ship: I never see a sign for Haven Guest when I come back to the ship.  I could be missingthem however it is never really an issue.”  Getting back on board seem

We were staying in a Haven suite on the Joy in October 2022 to Canada and New England and one of the best sights of all was getting back on the ship after a full day’s excursion, and seeing the person holding the Haven sign that allowed us to avoid the mass crowds at the elevators trying to cram in at the same time. We were taken on a crew elevator directly to the Haven lounge. Priceless….

I know you can use more than one per day, because we have done it. I would just check with the waitstaff;  or if you’re staying in the Haven, check with the concierge when they call you to book your specialty restaurants before your cruise. I feel they same way about the Haven Dinners; why would I have Filet Mignon and a lobster tail at Cagney’s and pay the up charge; when I could have as many as I want in the Haven Restaurant…. ( yes, I know, first world problem for those that will criticize my post…)

I have both the escape and the breakaway I could exchange for the star. Please email me lmcclurg23 at hotmail.com and we can exchange addresses. Thank you.

I am looking for a Star pin. I have breakaway or escape pins  ( the last ones handed out? ) the Star was our first for NCL and have sailed in her twice; but no pins available.....

Great Margaritaville reference BigNance![emoji23]

On the Bliss I bought 2 over priced metal cups with metal straws for my DD and I from Starbucks; another new way to spend OBC.

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Just off the Bliss yesterday 8/4/18. My husband and I are both Platinum with NCL. We were a group of 5 adults and an infant, 12 months old. We had two connecting rooms on deck 9; one mini suite, one balcony. The Bliss is not our first choice of all the NCL ships we have been on. The observation Lounge, was definitely overcrowded and not the best use of space in my opinion. Our particular cruise had some very rude passengers; but we also encountered many nice people on an overcrowded ship. The staff is first rate in my opinion. ( Remember; you get what you give... if you are nice and respectful; most people, not just the staff; respond in a positive way. Some passengers are just rude and there’s nothing you can do about that. (If you are lucky, Karma usually takes care of them.) Go carts were $9.95 per person and laser tag was $5 per person; both were enjoyed by the people in our group that experienced them; so for our group; worth the extra money. Yes; we stood online on embarkation day to book both; and yes; we had an issue where it was canceled and then reinstated after we went to guest services....

if your looking for Lobster on this ship; the best you will do is Cagney’s steak house; $5 for a bowl of Lobster bisque soup......worth every penny... Pictures are now taken at each specialty restaurant and shown to you near the end of dinner. Seems like it slows the dinner process down significantly and you cannot include them in any photo package. Regardless; we had a great family vacation to Alaska and if there are any questions; I’d be happy to answer if I can.

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1986 - SS Oceanic (Premier Cruise lines - “The Big Red Boat”) Disney Parks / Cruise combo for our Honeymoon.

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Not sure what's happening to the quality of the food in the other restaurants, but doesn't seem as good as it used to be.

I know food is subjective.... But in my opinion, the main dinning room food from 2014-2015 was really surprisingly good, to the point that we limited our specialty restaurant dining. I suspect that's what NCL is going for; drop the quality of the food in the complementary dining venues and people will want to book more in the specialty restaurants. But first; give people a choice for "free" UDP (well almost, you now need to pay an 18% surcharge to NCL) so they can try some of the restaurants and tell all their friends how good they are. Then, pull all of the UDP promos and people are left with mediocre dining room meals or the buffet; so they will be more than happy spend more on board for the fee based venues. I think the same goes for the UBP; they are raising prices like crazy, once they pull all the promos, there will be definite sticker shock at the end of the cruise.

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Are drinks here included with the UBP ?

 

 

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Yes, if you have the UBP , drinks in MV are covered. I highly recommend the watermelon margarita. [emoji4]

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Seems a little blurry this way. Prices range from 2.99 for dessert to 8.99 for sandwiches. Burgers are $6.99. Drinks are 5.95 for Beer to $10.95 for Margaritas.

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Hopefully this picture came through. It is the menu with the pricing for Margaritaville. If not; I will try to upload from my computer.

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Found this on the NCL website

 

Uptown Bar & Grill

 

 

 

At Uptown Bar & Grill you’ll find Norwegian Breakaway's new burger and salad bar. Choose from a variety of gourmet burger options like Garden & Herb and Chili Cheese or create your own! And with so many different ingredients, you can have a new kind of burger every single day. Prefer to keep it light? Our made-to-order fresh chopped salads are another great option. So eat in or take it to go and start working on that golden tan. Either way, we always do it well (or medium or rare).

 

 

 

 

 

Note: This dining venue will be discontinued as of 9/25/2016.

 

 

 

Price Per Person: Complimentary

 

 

 

So that's 2 weeks of remodeling

Very disappointing. I am sailing 9/25 and thought I could enjoy the Uptown bar & Grill on my last NCL cruise. I wonder if they will be closing down the jogging track and the rock wall (if that is still there) as well since they are on the outside perimeter of the Uptown bar & Grill. (On the Escape they use that area for a few tables and paint the wall behind them with the MV name. ) [emoji19]

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I must admit I am frustrated with reading the posts on this forum. To those criticizing people for not liking specific brands, well that is their choice. They have the right to like or dislike something. Regardless of this being a first world problem, it is a problem for them and we all need to respect their opinion.

 

 

 

I am not happy with NCL. My 4-year old daughter is highly allergic to milk. We always take a lactose free powder and bottle water. The ships do not always have lactose free milk and on several cruises we have been on, they run out.

 

 

 

I also bring my daughter pediasure. Now I can't do this.

 

 

 

What burns my butt the most is the exorbitant price Norwegian is charging for water. I have no problem paying for bottled water but i will not pay $50.00 for 12 bottles that cost at most $10.00. Now there will be ridiculous lines in the buffet because people will be filing their water bottles up.

I would certainly hope that NCL would make an exception for the lactose free powder with bottled water for re- constitution and the pediasure as they are claiming they will for the formula. If I were you; I would definitely call guest services &/ or declare what you have with you and why at the security checkpoint. I can't see security turning you away or having to toss those items for your 4 year old. It is a medical issue.

Can't bring soda on board anymore

I guess some have received it prior to final payment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2378433&page=2

 

 

 

 

Isn't this the link you shared? They sent an email July7th, and received a call back.

http://

boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=50498010

I am concerned with passengers refilling water bottles in the buffet. Some of the bottles are old and dirty, and ,for health reasons , NONE are to be refilled here. Despite the signs, they were being refilled all the time on our last Epic cruise. No one enforces this rule and it leads to health issues. Ncl should put in a bottle filling station like most airports have. With the new restrictions, water safety needs to be addressed.

I agree; for someone who has had the dreaded norovirus on the NCL GEM; hygiene is an extreme top priority. It has turned me into a germaphobe. Carrying anti- bacterial hand gel and Clorox sanitizing wipes each subsequent cruise to wipe down everything from the cabin to the casino; that's no way to enjoy a vacation any longer.

Our final payment was July 9th and we still have not gotten the email from NCL regarding the new policy. :mad:

Sadly; I may be correct in my assumptions then....[emoji20] NCL; (FDR) such a disappointment...... You were once the inspiration of many cruise lines......

I guess some have received it prior to final payment:

 

 

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2378433&page=2

Correct me if I'm wrong; but it only seems those that inquired directly, received notification prior to their final payment; and not those that deliberately waited until after final payment were notified. (Just curious to see if my theory is correct.)

Yup, THIS is the very serious problem underlying ALL of this.

 

 

 

Thanks for letting us know.

 

 

 

Quite a 'coincidence', eh? :mad:

No problem; no coincidence at all....

NCL if you are monitoring this; as I suspect you are; your "plan" is backfiring; I had no problem spending extra on board until you, (FDR) declared "war" with your "extra $5". I have, since that comment, made it a point to try to spend as little directly with your cruise line as possible until I finished my last cruise reward/cruise next certificate I was foolish enough to buy. I no longer book directly and have gone with the lowest price/ most perks/ kickbacks TA I could find. Thank goodness I will be on my final NCL cruise shortly.

There are alternatives out there for those long time NCL consumers that have had enough of the lies and last minute sneaky changes.

(I do not bring on a case of water, or Soda; maybe just a couple of sealed bottles of water to keep for meds. In the am and a Brita filtered water bottle to screen out the chlorine from the ships water system. ) That being said; although I paid in full last month; Tuesday was final payment for my cruise; and wouldn't you guess; today, my TA received notification from NCL about the new beverage policy, which they forwarded to me. I spoke to my TA to find out if they could as a large group voice concerns over how notifications are coming out (after final payment). I also informed my TA that MSC is matching the loyalty status of other cruise lines & will have a ship similar to NCL by Dec. 2017. They said that was really good to know as an NCL alternative. I will ether try out MSC or another cruise line; or maybe just go back to land based vacations; since for me as a platinum member with NCL ; it is just not worth the aggravation to cruise with them any longer.

We sail September 25th, 2016 on the breakaway - still no email from NCL or TA..... I guess they are going month by month to figure out exactly what the repercussions might be before notifying all? (Lol) Has anyone else received notification on the changes who are sailing in September? I already paid in full and finished the check in process last month. Not surprised; just curious......

You weren't responding to me, but that's a very ignorant statement. These changes affect everyone differently. We've done just 5 NCL cruises, and each one has gotten better and better -- certainly not because of the changes, but in spite of them. I keep waiting for the shoe to drop, but it hasn't. I've never carried on pop or water, and had no plans to do so. I know there are some that still feel I should run for the hills, but my cruise a month ago was the best ever. At some point there will probably be a change or issue that might drive me away, but for now, I'm still getting value for my dollar. I spend lots and lots of time researching other cruise lines, and this one still has what I want right now. That doesn't mean my expectations are low, just different than yours. I expect excellent service, excellent food, excellent entertainment, and lots and lots of options for music and fun. I am getting it on NCL, better than ever. Others' mileage will vary. Thank God we aren't all identical. I don't agree with a lot of these changes, but until I feel my overall cruise experience has been altered, I'm happy with my current booking. (As soon as RCCL drops it's prices a bit, I'd love to sail one of their big ships!) Calling it low expectations is simply naive or ignorant.

I am neither naïve nor ignorant; I just remember a different NCL than you apparently do; as I have witnessed the decline on my journey to being a platinum member. I also do not bring my own beverages aboard; aside from a Brita water bottle with a filter for port excursions. I actually speak with the staff, and the tone has absolutely changed since my first cruise in 2003. I am glad you are having a good experience; and hope you continue to do so. For me; my last cruise reward and subsequent journey with NCL will end this September.

I certainly respect your viewpoint - even though mine is different. Over the years, I have learned that what happens to Oceania may well happen to Regent. To extrapolate this, what happens on Regent and Oceania may have a bearing on what happens to NCL.

 

It sounds like the three cruise lines want to remain as separate as possible since they apparently hope that passengers will graduate from NCL to Oceania to Regent. However, there are things that are being merged ....... this cannot be denied.

 

If I had younger children, I would sail on NCL but would be very interested in looking at the next level of cruising (Oceania). This would be a goal for me. If my parents would watch the kids, Oceania would be an amazing cruise line to sail.

 

In any case, if you are not interested in Oceania or Regent, it isn't a problem. It is important to know, however, that some people are.

I am with punkincc when they say they have no interest in O or R; you keep showing your ignorance when you think you can convert people from NCL to your favorite cruise line R which I am now convinced you are getting paid by the number of times someone posts their name on any CC forum. My children are grown and I have no desire to cruise with either of them. If any thing you are pushing people as far away as possible from any cruise line you mention, so it is not helpful, it is destructive.

I understand that, but there are at least 8 rooms available in the category when I put in 2 passengers, and none when I put in 3 passengers. To me that makes no sense. If it is based on lifeboat seats, then there are at least 16 spots left in that area. :confused:

They would rather sell 8 cabins that are available at double occupancy to fill the 16 spots than Leave those cabins empty. It is usually more expensive for two per room then add ons. The possibility of getting extra money on the ship from drinks or specialty restaurants would be better with one or two adults in those cabins. They might even get a single person to pay an up charge or double if they are sold out of single cabins.

Sorry but I am not affiliated with Regent, Oceania or FDR -- just speaking from experience. No one likes change and many resist it. Life brings about changes all the time. The restaurants you went to 5 years ago are no doubt more expensive than they are now. The same can be said for food at the grocery store. There is very little in life that does not change.

 

One thing I learned from reading these threads is that the same type of things that are being said about FDR were being said when Sheehan took over. Yet, when Sheehan left, passengers were devastated. The only thing that bothers me is people judging and putting down a person that you have never met. IMO, no one gets anywhere by bullying and that is what it seems like some posters are doing.

 

Whether you decide to cruise on NCL again or another cruise line, I hope that you find what makes you and your family happy.:o

I don't consider myself a bully. I do think your experience with Regent has been different than many that have with NCL. I have sailed with NCL since 2003 (no surprise by my login). I am most upset with lack of communication. I didn't even register with cruise critic until 2012, just as I do not have a Facebook page. (way too much drama) I do not like someone trying to orchestrate how I have a right to spend my vacation dollars after I have already spent them. I, as a consumer have the right to reasonable expectations based on past experiences. I am not disrespectful to others on the cruise ship, (although I have witnessed a few children not being minded by their parents); yet I still sailed NCL. There were no excessive dirty dishes throughout any ships that I sailed on. I tipped extra to our cabin steward as well as restaurant staff , room service and butler as appropriate. I did not leave dirty dishes from my free room service on a room service tray outside my cabin unless instructed by my cabin steward, and have sailed in every cabin class on NCL from an inside cabin to a suite with a butler (shout out to Roland who was great on the Dawn out of Boston). IMO I do find your comments to be condescending as you do not have the same "experience" as you have not sailed on NCL. For the record, I never once complained about Sheehan. Yes, change does happen, which is why I feel the need to explore (change) my vacation options in the future. Only time will time if NCL can weather this storm they have thrust upon themselves.

I'm also curious as to what date, category, and ship. Ours is also sold out and has been for the past month or so. We are on Breakaway 11/8/15 in an M6. I was surprised that it was sold out so far in advance. That's still 6 months from now. It makes me worried that maybe they are scheduling work or a refurb in that part of the ship that week.:eek:

 

 

 

 

 

ETA: This is interesting....I just checked out a mock booking for our sailing but didn't put in 3 passengers. Wouldn't you know it, there are lots of rooms available. When I put in 3, none available. What's that about? I know that category holds between 3 or 4 passengers, depending on the room. Some have a pull down bed along with the couch, which will hold 4 people. The ones without the pull down hold up to 3.

The reason why there is no availability is because of international booking capacity. The maximum passenger capacity is based on # of passengers booked already. Just because rooms may accommodate more than two pax; doesn't mean that there are enough life boat seats for every possible cabin being maxed out. This is an international law. Cruise lines do not expect to sell every cabin at max; I ran into this scenario last year with Celebrity as we're we're going to give them a try , but a very nice woman explained the reasoning; and as a result they are definitely on my radar for a future cruise.